Amar Razali

Iqamat-as-Salat: Performing of Salat (prayers). It means that:

a) Every Muslim, male or female, is obliged to offer his Salat (prayers) regularly five times a day at the specified times; the male in the mosque in congregation and as for the female, it is better to offer them at home. As the Prophet (peace be upon him) has said, "Order your children to offer Salat (prayer) at the age of seven and beat them (about it) at the age of ten." The chief (of a family, town, tribe) and the Muslim rulers of a country are held responsible before Allah in case of non-fulfillment of this obligation by the Muslims under their authority.

b) One must offer the Salat (prayers) as the Prophet (peace be upon him) used to offer them with all their rules and regulations, i.e., standing, bowing, prostrating, and sitting. As he (peace be upon him) has said, "Offer your salat (prayers) the way you see me performing them." [Sahih Al-Bukhari 9/7246 (O.P.352)] [For the characteristic of the Salat (prayer) of the Prophet (may peace be upon him) see Sahih Al-Bukhari, 1/735-737, 756, 823, and 824]

Narrated Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) The Prophet (may peace be upon him) said, "No Salat (prayer) is heavier (harder) for the hypocrites than the Fajr and the 'Isha prayers, but if they knew the reward for these Salat (prayers) at the respective times, they would certainly present themselves (in the mosques) even if they had to crawl." The Prophet (may peace be upon him) added, "Certainly, I intended (or was about) to order the Mu'adhdhin (call-maker) to pronounce Iqamah and order a man to lead the Salat (prayer) and then take a fire flame to burn all those (men along with their houses) who had not yet left their houses for the Salat (prayer) (in the mosques)." [Sahih Al-Bukhari, 1/657 (O.P.626)]

Taken from my handy "The Noble Qur'an, A Summarized Version of At-Tabari, Al-Qurtubi, and Ibn Kathir with comments from Sahih Al-Bukhari" page 660. Refer Verse 22 ayaat 41).

May Allah guide us all to the straight path. Ameen.